Democrats: Lottery could ease funding woes

Wednesday

Feb 8, 2012 at 12:01 AM

MONTGOMERY | House Minority Leader Craig Ford said Tuesday he wants to restart a discussion about a state lottery as an answer to Alabama’s recurring budget problems.In the Democratic response to Republican Gov. Robert Bentley’s “State of the State” address before a joint legislative session, Ford said that if Bentley vows no new taxes, alternatives to dramatic budget cuts will need consideration.

By Dana Beyerle, Montgomery Bureau Chief

MONTGOMERY | House Minority Leader Craig Ford said Tuesday he wants to restart a discussion about a state lottery as an answer to Alabama’s recurring budget problems.In the Democratic response to Republican Gov. Robert Bentley’s “State of the State” address before a joint legislative session, Ford said that if Bentley vows no new taxes, alternatives to dramatic budget cuts will need consideration.“This is the time to re-issue the lottery talk,” Ford said. “I think we need to look at all the options.”In his speech, Bentley said he would veto any new tax. He also said he would protect several state government and education programs but that he would cut spending and consolidate some agencies to meet the constitutional mandate of balanced budgets. He didn’t name the agencies destined for cuts. “The people of this state expect us to live within our means, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Bentley said.Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, D-Pelham, said Bentley proposed an ambitious agenda, particularly on job creation, roads and education and that they will be well received by the Republican-controlled Legislature. “Some of the things I don’t know how we will fund, but there is definitely a need for all the things he said,” she said. Rep. John Robinson, D-Scottsboro, said the governor made it sound like everything will be OK in state government despite the budget shortages, something that’s typical for governors to do. “I have heard a lot of these speeches before, and I have heard the wind blow before,” he said. Robinson said it’s clear state government needs more money. “Until the people of this state get ready to pay for more services, we are going to remain where we are,” said Robinson, who opposes creating charter schools. “I don’t know where the money for charter schools will come from when we don’t have enough for regular schools.” Marquita Davis, Bentley’s finance director, said earlier that taxes and other revenues that support the Education Trust Fund and General Fund will not be sufficient to cover all demands for services.The budgets likely will receive even less money next year than this year, she said.“We face a major funding shortfall in our General Fund,” Bentley said. “We have 25 percent less money to provide basic services.”Ford, D-Gadsden, said Alabama loses money to states that have a lottery: Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.“Why not keep the money here?” he said. “It would be a constitutional amendment to let the people vote.”Ford said lottery proceeds could be split “50-50” between education and general government.He said the timing may not be right to introduce lottery legislation this year, saying it may be better to do next year.“I’d like to develop a dialogue,” he said. “It’s time to think outside the box.”Don Siegelman campaigned for governor on a state lottery to fund education in 1998, but Alabama voters defeated his plan in 1999 after questions were raised about its governance.Bentley didn’t mention a lottery, but Rep. John Merrill, R-Tuscaloosa, said that Bentley campaigned on allowing voters to consider electronic bingo.“At some point in the four years he’s … governor he’s going to introduce that as a concept,” Merrill said. “I don’t know whether it will happen this year or not. It’s up to the governor.”Ford said that Democrats oppose charter schools that would “divert $200 million from underfunded classrooms.”Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa, one of the few Democrats in attendance for Bentley’s speech, said “Obviously, there are certain things that we disagree with.“We should exhaust all our education options for public schools before we start charter schools,” England said.Ford noted that Bentley didn’t mention immigration or nay plans to fix the law passed last year.Ford said the immigration law is “giving us a black eye.”“We challenge him to lead,” Ford said.Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, D-Pelham, said Bentley proposed an ambitious agenda, particularly on job creation, roads and education, and they will be well received by the Republican-controlled Legislature. “Some of the things I don’t know how we will fund, but there is definitely a need for all the things he said,” she said. Robinson said it’s clear state government needs more money. “Until the people of this state get ready to pay for more services, we are going to remain where we are,” said Robinson, who opposes creating charter schools. “I don’t know where the money for charter schools will come from when we don’t have enough for regular schools.”